• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Montreal holds off Winnipeg

Oct 1, 2011 - 6:23 AM Winnipeg, MB (Sports Network) - Alex Brink was unable to sneak in from a yard out on two occasions for the go-ahead score with no time remaining as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers fell to the Montreal Alouettes, 32-26.

On Winnipeg's final drive, a critical 26-yard pass interference penalty was called on Montreal Greg Laybourn to put the ball at the one with eight seconds left.

"I thought I was in on both of them, but it's not my call," Brink said of his quarterback keepers.

Montreal's Anthony Calvillo threw for 335 yards and three scores on 26-of-44 passing.

Brandon Whitaker rushed for 75 yards on 15 carries, while Jamel Richardson caught six balls for 126 yards and a touchdown for Montreal (8-5).

Blue Bombers starting quarterback Buck Pierce did not play due to bruised ribs. He aggravated the injury in last Saturday's 25-24 loss to Toronto.

Brink got the starting nod and accounted for 326 yards on 24-of-40 passing for the Winnipeg (8-5). He had a touchdown and two interceptions.

Chris Garrett led all rushers with 76 yards and one score on 11 rushes, while Greg Carr had 95 yards on six receptions for Winnipeg.

The win for the Allouttes puts them in a first-place tie with Winnipeg in the Eastern Conference. They'll meet again on October 22 in Winnipeg.

Winnipeg opened the scoring with a 36-yard field goal by Justin Palardy.

Montreal answered with a touchdown on their ensuing drive. Richardson's 59- yard catch to the two-yard line set up Montreal's first score when Dahrran Diedrick scampered in on the very next play.

Calvillo connected with Richardson for an 18-yard score to make it a 15-3 game right before the half. The Alouettes put another touchdown on the board to start the third quarter when Kerry Watkins hauled in a 12-yard score.

After Winnipeg's Palardy booted another field goal, Montreal made it 29-6 as Calvillo threw his third touchdown, this time a three-yarder to S.J. Green.

The Blue Bombers nearly overcame the 23-point deficit by making things very interesting at the end.

Their first touchdown of the contest came on a 52-yard blocked punt return by Henoc Muamba in the third.

Clarence Denmark hauled in a 25-yard touchdown, and Garrett rumbled in from 32 yards out to make it 32-26 with 2:47 left.

Winnipeg's defense made a critical stand to get the offense back on the field, but they were unable to get it in the end zone from the one with no time remaining.

Game Notes

Denmark had 73 yards receiving on four catches while Terrence Edwards caught four balls for 78 yards for Winnipeg...Watkins made five receptions for 54 yards while Brian Bratton caught five balls for 52 yards for Montreal...Montreal's Seth Williams led all tacklers with six.